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Tom's Ultimate RAM Speed Tests - misinformation

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  • RAM
  • Memory
  • Tom's Guide
Last response: in Tom's Guide
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April 10, 2008 2:57:06 AM

Concerning "Tom's Ultimate RAM Speed Tests" . ..well let me just say that the technical experience of your article writers has gone down severely in the last several years.

Quote:
2 GB memory kits offering two DDR2-800 modules start at approximately $75, which can be considered a bargain given that 2 GB of main memory is enough to run all sorts of mainstream applications and games. More memory, meaning 4 GB, requires a 64-bit operating system, because Windows XP and Windows Vista will only be able to handle 3 GB RAM when the 32-bit versions are used. Although the 64-bit versions are equally reliable, almost equally fast, and driver support has improved a lot, be sure you double check if your devices and applications will work in a 64-bit environment.


Windows XP x32 can and WILL use all 4GB of ram if installed. However since a bit is reserved for system resources, the total amount usable for system processes, and applications, the total will be less than 4GB. Typically if you use a 512MB video card, you will see 3.25GB or less, and a 256MB video card will show 3.5GB or less.

It *seems* obvious that the witter of this 'article' has zero, real, hands on experience with such matters, and I truely did not even want to bother with reading he rest of this **** . I can see why Toms has taken the 'Discuss this article' link off of the main article pages . . .

More about : tom ultimate ram speed tests misinformation

April 10, 2008 3:36:30 AM

Quote:
2 GB memory kits offering two DDR2-800 modules start at approximately $75


WTH kind of ram are you buying? You can buy 4GB of DDR800 for less than that. I just bought 16GB of DDR2-800 for 140 (and a week later it was available for as little ast 4gb for $50.00.

What did that get me? All sticks would OC (with 1 2GB stick installed) to DDR-1000 at 1.8v (that's default). Half would hit 1066 at 1.8v and a few others hit 1066 at 1.85.

With 4 sticks installed, the fastest would hit 1066 at 1.9v and the slowest would hit 1000 at that speed.

This was plain old Adata ram from newegg.

If you're going for a super OC, then i guess it'd make sense to buy faster ram, but I don't see why you'd pay 2x as much. Hell, I've seen 2GB Balistix PC2-800 for something like $30.00 (maybe less)...for those that want D9 ram.
April 11, 2008 8:25:21 PM

You are correct about the 32-bit version of windows utilizing 4GB RAM, but that doesn't take away from the legitimacy of the tests. It's more like a minor error in reporting. The point of the article was to show that more expensive, "high-performance" RAM is not worth the money.
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